Bobcats welcome Pistons to town

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11/03/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Charlotte Bobcats will attempt to build on their first win under new coach Larry Brown at Time Warner Cable Arena Monday against a true Eastern Conference power, the Detroit Pistons.

Gerald Wallace poured in a game-high 34 points, pulled down nine rebounds, dished out three assists and swatted three shots, giving Brown his first win with the team, a 100-87 victory over the Miami Heat in the Bobcats' home- opener on Saturday.

Jason Richardson added 23 points for Charlotte, which was 0-8 in the preseason and lost at Cleveland in its season opener on Thursday under Brown, who counts Detroit as one of his many former coaching outposts.

Emeka Okafor logged a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.

Brown mentored the Pistons from 2003-05, guiding the team to back-to-back NBA finals and winning the NBA title in 2004. He left the Motor City after the 2004-05 season. The nomadic Brown alienated the Pistons front office by flirting with the Cavaliers regarding an executive position during the postseason and Detroit bought out his contract.

The Pistons stayed perfect for their new coach, Michael Curry, when Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Rasheed Wallace added 17 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in the Pistons 117-109 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

Walter Herrmann chipped in 16 points for the Pistons. Chauncey Billups ended with 12 points, including a flawless 7-of-7 showing from the foul line.

Detroit swept the season series between the two clubs last season, winning all three games and has won four in a row overall versus the Bobcats.

The Pistons have won two straight and four of the seven matchups in Charlotte.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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